Kimkim Trip Reviews

Dear Margoth.
We are back home 😔 after a fabulous visit to your glorious country.
I wanted to express our gratitude for your exceptionally attentive, helpful and timely help in organising the trip.
We simply loved our stay at Calanoa in the rainforest & have taken away such wonderful memories that will last a lifetime
The logistics all ran so smoothly thanks to you 🙏
Your are an absolute star ⭐️ thank you so so much.
You have two happy fans !
All the best
Adam & Lola

Hotel Review

Calanoa Lodge

Leticia

Amazing Lodge, in a spectacular location run by the loveliest of people

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Boat Ride to Peruvian Margin to see Pink Dolphins and the Sunset from the River

Calanoa Lodge, Leticia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Herman was excellent

Transport

We leveraged kimkim for a Guatemala trip and they made our stay so smooth and convenient. Eduardo organized transportation (to/from the airport and local tour destinations), COVID-19 testing, lodging, and hooked us up with some of the best local tour guides I've experienced. What was great about the itinerary was that it provided a nice structure while being very flexible. We made a few changes in plans and Eduardo navigated those changes with finesse. With kimkim, we had the luxury of worrying less about travel logistics and could really focus on enjoying the finer parts of the stay.

Overall, working with kimkim was an exceptional experience during our visit.

Exceptional Service during Exceptional Times

Traveling during COVID means uncertainty and ever-changing plans. We made changes to our itinerary until the night before we landed in Guatemala City! It could have been a disaster but it wasn't - we were able to do everything we wanted to do. We were even able to arrange for COVID tests to be administered at our place in Antigua the day before we flew back to USA.

Eduardo was incredibly kind, patient, compassionate and flexible with our group of six. Shortly into our trip, I knew we were in the absolute best hands. He was also so knowledgeable about the best places to visit and activities to do for our 1 week stay without feeling over-exerted or uncomfortable. One of my favorite highlights was the 2 night stay in Lake Atitlan where Eduardo booked us the most beautiful stay at Hotel Sanbuenaventura in Panajachel and connected us to the best tour guide of our entire trip, Pablo Chumil. Please request Pablo if you want an expert in Guatemala nature (especially birds), local history and safety - great guide, great human all around.

Antonio was our trusted and only driver for all the many hours we spent exploring Guatemala. As a driver, he was prompt and drove safely at all times. We cherished our time together laughing, using broken Spanish and sharing snacks and a meal - we miss you Antonio, thank you for keeping us safe always!

Before I went, I did not know much about Guatemala or its culture and people. However, thanks to the kind and warm-hearted people, both from Kimkim and the locals we met, I am left with the best impression of Guatemala and would no doubt visit again.

Hotel Review

San Buenaventura Hotel

Panajachel, Sololá

If and when we return to Lake Atitlán, I would 100% book a stay at the Hotel Sanbuenaventura. We got to stay in a standard double bed room one night and upgraded to a two-story suite the following night. Both rooms were very clean with comfortable beds, FILTERED TAP WATER(!), delicious breakfasts (we did not eat lunch and they do not provide dinner). The property feels very tropical with lush landscaping, a beautiful heated pool and many lookout points and green space where you can admire the beautiful lake and volcanos on the horizon. We were always looked after by the hotel staff, they called tuk tuks every time we needed to go into the city center (takes about 15 minutes for them to arrive so plan accordingly).

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages

Guatemala

Over 2 days, Pablo Chumil and his expert boat captains took us to 3 villages - San Juan, San Pedro and Santiago Atitlan. We spent the majority of time in charming San Juan, visiting it over 2 days. At first I didn't know why we would go to the village twice but I am so glad we did - we spent 1 day touring an organic coffee cooperative, LA VOZ QUE CLAMA EN EL DECIERTO, SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA and the next day at a women's owned textiles coop, Artesania La Voz De Los Tzutujiles (coincidence in naming). We only made a brief stop in San Pedro so I can't comment on my experience there. Santiago Atitlan was so rich in Mayan history - we visited Maximon, ate the best traditional Mayan/Guatemalan lunch, and enjoyed soaking up the sights and sounds of their culture. I would highly recommend spending an afternoon here. To quote Jurassic Park, "hold on to your butts" during afternoon boat trips across the lake - the water is surprisingly choppy and some rides can be ~30-40 minutes if you're going across the lake. Calm in the mornings, but it was a fun experience! A few of us get sea sickness so we were prepared (turns out natural non-drowsy Dramamine = ginger pills) but we didn't get it too badly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our drivers were so exceptionally skillful at navigating a particularly windy afternoon - our boat was top notch as well!

Transport

Our honeymoon trip to Jordan was amazing. Having secured a great deal, Samir managed to book amazing hotels and created a wonderful programme in Jordan. He also was in regular contact with us to make sure everything is up to high standards. He solved some hotel issues instantly and efficiently (we didnt have to worry about a thing). If you want to visit Jordan then Samir is your guy.

We were treated with respect and everybody was very nice and friendly.

Our guide and driver Sulaiman was very friendly and knowledgeable as well as flexible. What ever questions we asked about regarding history, shops, coffee, diving, etc.. he always had the answer.

Visiting Jeresh, Petra (one of the seven wonders), camping in Wadi Rum and diving in the red sea in Aqaba were the highlights of our trip.

Hotel Review

Sulaf Luxury Hotel

Amman

Amazing, very friendly

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Meet & Assist - Queen Alia Airport

Jordan

Very professional, smooth process

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I have nothing but great things to say! Sharon from Morocco Immersion Tours & Adventures worked with me to create an awesome itinerary given I only planned the trip 2 weeks before and only had 5 full days in Morocco, and she was even able to help me make some changes when my airline pushed my flight back by a day while minimizing the price changes. On the ground, Hicham executed the plan flawlessly and was always happy to help me get anything I needed to help make the trip that much more comfortable. The hospitality and positive energy from the team as well as the guides/partners they worked with during the trip is something for which I am very grateful and will never forget! Thanks again for such a great experience, and I can’t wait to visit again!

Jenny was amazing to work with. Despite working with a shorter than ideal planning timeline she found us a truly memorable vacation experience. With a daughter on the autism spectrum our travel needs can sometimes be very specific with a lot of flexibility built in and Jenny found that perfect balance for us. I doubt I’ll ever plan my own vacations again now that I’ve experienced first hand how smooth this process was. She removed the stress of planning and potential travel challenges so all we had to do was enjoy our time as a family.

Activity Reviews

Crystal Blue Ice Cave

Iceland

This was a fun and informative trip. My kids were less than pleased with the distance we had to walk to get to the ice cave but our guide made it all worthwhile once we got there. He engaged the kids personally in some of the things he was showing all of us and made sure they were having fun. The cave itself was beautiful to see but sad to think about how the glacier keeps getting smaller each year. We were all glad we got a chance to see it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Neat to ride in the giant 4x4 but VERY bumpy. Almost like being in a boat so if you typically get motion sick you may want to plan accordingly.

Horse Riding Tour

Iceland

We loved the horse riding experience through the snowy fields. Toni, our guide was great; friendly and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I cannot even begin to express how incredibly thankful my boyfriend and I feel to have found Jesus's team at KimKim for our trip to Peru. From our very first message with Jesus to the second we landed back in the U.S., we had just an amazing experience. In part due to the rich history and culture Peru has to offer, but mostly because of the wonderful people we met along the way. We had private transportation everywhere we went (Carlos, Jose, and San), who were always friendly, accommodating, safe, and very hard working, and we were also paired with the best tour guides we could have ever asked for! Guido and Abel in Cusco both will be lifetime friends, they were incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and caring.
We were given all of the flexibility in the world by Jesus's team, which really helped keep the stress of a big/long trip at bay. We opted to arrange our own sleeping accommodations with the exception of a few nights, one of which we stayed with the sweetest local Andean family. Each day, we were able to choose within reason the time we wanted to start our day, there was never any rushing to be anywhere at a particular time. Every single day was a new adventure and we learned more than we were ready to! We spent 11 long days in Peru, but we still didn't want to leave. We miss the people, the food, the sites, but we are so thankful for the friendships and memories we made!

Activity Reviews

Journey through the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain: {{start_location}} to {{end_location}}

Peru

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Machu Picchu Exploration

Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Booking this trip was the right choice. The specialist were patient and helpful with any questions we had. It was the perfect way to celebrate a birthday. The schedule kept us busy but there were a few moments where we were able to explore on our own. Most of the guides spoke some english and most drove carefully. Only once was I ever concerned about being in the cars or transportation. Kimkim made it easy to enjoy the experience without the worry. Our lodging was great but not luxury, it fit our needs. Costa Rica was a great experience and I would definitely recommend to others.

Hotel Reviews

Sleep Inn Hotel Paseo Las Damas

San José

The location of this hotel was perfect. Right in the middle of downtown, we were able to visit museums and take in some local life. The rooms were a bit dated and the beds hard but the staff was always nice and helpful. The second time we stayed on our way back the room was nicer and had a city view. Good experience overall

Tips for future travelers

Keep in mind that it is a 2 star. Its perfectly nice and clean but there is some dated and older fixtures there.

Authenticity & Character

good location

Location

its in the middle of everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

hard mattresses but clean overall. Older carpets and bathroom fixtures.

Arenal Country Inn

La Fortuna

The welcome was great. The hostess and the rest of the staff were helpful and suggested ways to get around and places to eat. You get your own little villa with AC, tv, and a safe. The pool and dining hall areas were well kept and they were very environmentally focused. The mattresses were very hard.

Tips for future travelers

Take lots of pictures and enjoy your time. The place is lovely and homey.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Arenal Volcano Hiking Tour & Tabacon Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

Very well planned day. The tour was very knowledgeable despite the trails being a little longer than expected. We saw many cool animals and even learn about costa rica conservation and history of Arena/Fortuna. Going to the hot springs after was a great plan as we were tired after the hiking. We got to the hot springs when it was dark so I do wish that we could have enjoyed some of it during the day light. They had well-lit paths and the pools were lovely. The resort was so well kept and felt very luxe.

Quality of Experience

Food

Good food but it is a set menu

Guides, Drivers and Staff

very knowledgeable and local

Transport

guides suggest local places to eat

We had a wonderful trip organized by Olman, who was always there to answer any question. Olman organized beautiful hotels and great activities for us to discover the country. The highlights of our trip were our transfer to Tortugueros with Jonathan, who stopped to show us a sloth on an electric pole, and told us about the banana plantations - I'll never look at a banana the same way! White water rafting with Orlando was amazing. I recommend doing a night walk as well, you get to see sleeping and nocturnal animals, for example a scorpion that shines in black light. In Manuel Antonio, we saw a mother and baby humpback whale on the catamaran tour. The fresh tropical fruit is so tasty! It was a wonderful trip, I highly recommend booking here!

We had an amazing experience in our trip to Egypt and Jordan. The pyramids, the Petra, the White Desert, a cruise on the Nile, and scuba diving in Sharm el Sheikh were truly unforgettable. Ibrahim and the Kimkim team put together the perfect itinerary for us and were able to quickly resolve any issues that arose during our trip. They handled all of our lodging and transportation and made sure we were always comfortable.

Both of our tour guides, Mohammad Kamal and Noor, were respectful, professional, and extremely knowledgeable about the various sites we visited across Egypt. They answered any question that we had and we learned a lot about Egyptian and Jordanian history and culture from them.

One of the highlights of our experience was when we visited a small village along the Nile river. We met some of the families there and enjoyed their hospitality. Additionally, the night we spent camping and star gazing in the White Desert was an experience we enjoyed very much.

Overall, this was a phenomenal trip and we will definitely be planning more trips through Kimkim in the future!

We have never had a travel advisor like Loreena with KimKim. We had many issues with government forms and procedures and Lorenna went way beyond the call of duty for us. Her itinerary for our trip to Chile belongs in the travel hall of fame. 10 stars for her and Kimkim.

Norm and Lynda
Colorado

I would like to give my highest recommendation to both Guatemala as a country and to KimKim/Old Town Outfitters. My wife and I have travelled quite a bit and this was one of our favorite destinations that we have been to. From the inception of our idea to travel to Guatemala, Eduardo was incredibly responsive, receptive and flexible in creating an itinerary that matched our desired level of adventure and relaxation. In traveling to Guatemala we missed our connecting flight which altered our arrival time significantly. After contacting Eduardo he sorted everything out and changed our itinerary to accommodate this unforeseen issue.

While in Guatemala, our guide Oseas, was also incredible. His local knowledge, flexibility and overall joy and passion for showing visitors his country enhanced our experience in a wonderful way. He was easy going but also a go getter with no hesitation in driving many long hours often starting early in the morning. We truly feel that Oseas has become a friend and would love to show him around our neck of the woods.

As far as highlights of the trip go, it is hard to nail down just one. That being said, we absolutely loved our time in the Lanquin/Semuc Champey region. The 7 hour drive from Guatemala City is absolutely worth it for those who are seeking a little adventure. Lake Atitlan surpassed its extensive reputation and Antigua was truly a city that we feel we could live in long term.

I speak Spanish which was helpful but absolutely not necessary as both our guide and everyone we interacted with from Old Town was fluent in English. The people of Guatemala are welcoming and friendly, rarely did I feel out of place or unwelcome. As a seasoned traveler, both Guatemala and Old Town Outfitters/KimKim come with my highest recommendation. Please consider a trip here and with them if you are looking for a Central American destination with all the natural and cultural beauty you can imagine.

We had the best trip to the Galapagos Islands with Jackeline's help! She helped us decide between a few types of trips and was always available to answer questions. We picked an 8-day cruise through the Galapagos and it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Jackeline called ahead to let the crew know it was a special trip for us. Our cabin on the boat was upgraded and the chef baked us a surprise cake (no easy task on a small yacht!). We realized we needed a covid test to re-enter the states and Jackeline had someone meet us at the airport to administer. It was so easy and seamless - we had results within one hour. I highly recommend Jackeline, KimKim and the Galapagos Islands for future travel!!

The trip was well organised and everything was as expected - thanks to Erin's thoughtfulness and preparation. Gothe was excellent as our day guide - she was sharing interesting information about the landscapes, geology and the animals . Hotels were comfortable.
I will definitely recommend Erin & Dittmar as a travel agent for Patagonia.

Diego did an amazing job arranging a babymoon vacation to Costa Rica for us. Everything went seamlessly and all transfers/tours were on time. Would recommend highly!!

We had the best time! All of our guides and transfers were amazing. Thank you Marina for helping us book an amazing trip. You were the best.

John and Donna

Our trip to Peru was simply amazing!! We've never been to South America and we decided that the first country we should visit would be Peru after doing some research. We are so happy that we went with Peruvian Soul because it made logistics in the country really easy and we visited places that we would have probably never thought to go to. Not to mention that we met amazing people in Peruvian Soul that treated us like friends. We never used a travel agency for trips since we typically do all the planning, but this time it was nice to have some help with planning the entire trip from accommodations, covid testing, flights, and setting an itinerary that was both adventurous, cultural, fun, and relaxing.

The trip was to celebrate a birthday and everything was great! Our accommodations were nice and Nicholas was so helpful and communicative from start to finish. He picked us up from the airport and gave us a nice welcome package which consisted of hand sanitizer, a face mask, snacks, and a cool tote bag. We only got to see Nicholas once, but we were in constant contact with him during our trip via What's App.

We started in Lima and stayed in a cute boutique hotel (Casa Republica) in Barranco for 2 nights. The service there was great and it was cool to be in a historic mansion right near the water (seriously it was steps away). We were able to catch the sunset which was beautiful. There is also a cool rooftop bar at the hotel and we received complimentary Pisco Sours which were so good! When we left, the staff gave us Coco tea because they knew we were flying to Cusco which was very thoughtful. They also gave us breakfast to go in addition to the tea.

When we arrived in Cusco, we saw Julio who is such a genuine and nice person. He is incredibly knowledgeable of Cusco and could tell us anything about Cusco. We did many tours with Julio which included seeing Moray Terraces, Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo, we were able to experience a traditional meal cooked in the ground using stones which was awesome! The restaurant has food that comes straight from their garden and it was so good and cool to have that experience. We also tried different types of Piscos and coffee and the owner was quite the character!

After Cusco, we were finally in Aguas Calientes to prepare for Machu Picchu the following day. We met Eddy from Peruvian Soul who gave us the rundown for Machu Picchu. Eddy is funny and super nice. The hotel we stayed in was near the water and it was really nice. Again, the staff was so helpful and accommodating during our stay. Their breakfast was also really delicious! Eddy was our guide for Machu Picchu and it was cool to learn about the mystical place that is Machu Picchu. We went during rainy season, but luckily it was a clear day for us! It was also very peaceful because we went really early in the morning and not too many people were there.

After Machu Picchu, we were going back to Cusco for a night and we were met by our awesome driver. We thought we were going back to the hotel, but we made a surprise stop in Chinchero in the Sacred Valley. We saw Julio there, and went with the flow of the trip. We met some women there that explained how they make and dye their items for sell which was cool and informative. After that, Julio came out with a birthday cake and candles and everyone was singing Happy Birthday which was so thoughtful and unexpected! The women also blessed us with yellow flowers and it was such a special moment. The women also sang a song in their native language which we greatly appreciated. What a great way to spend a birthday! It was a great experience and probably one of the more memorable moments of the entire trip. Before we left Cusco, Julio gave us two bulls which represent good luck which was soo nice of him!

Our final location was Tumbes so we could relax at the beach. We were met by our driver Gaston who gave us water and was really nice (everyone in Peruvian Soul is soooo nice!!). We had a long drive so we talked and got to know more about him as a person. We stayed in Punta Sal resort and had a bungalow right on the beach! The bungalow, food, staff, and view were amazing! We are so grateful that Nicholas added Tumbes to our trip! We truly enjoyed the beach and the food!

All in all, Peru is such an amazing country and there is something for everyone! Peruvian Soul made the trip very memorable and we feel like we can always reach out to them whenever we are back. We had so much fun and the team was so thoughtful and helpful. We recommend Peru to everyone we know now, and we definitely suggest Peruvian Soul as agency if need be. We had such a great time and we definitely want to come back!!!

Olman went beyond the scope of his duties to help us have the best trip possible. Also, so responsive and friendly. You can tell that he really enjoys helping people and wants the best for you. He also checked in on us during the trip which I've never experienced with any other agency.

Hotel Review

Ti-fakara Boutique Hotel

La Fortuna

We loved everything about this place, especially Fernando and Daniella and the kitchen staff. It was quaint, clean, had a lovely little night tour where we saw a ton of frogs (including the poison dart frog), nice breakfast, outdoor shower which was covered so no debris was in there. Saw birds and monkeys outside our room. Walked up the street to the waterfall attraction. Our favorite spot out of the 4 places we stayed in and would definitely go back.

Tips for future travelers

Don't think twice about this place. It's a must-stay kinda place.

Authenticity & Character

Authentic food, local decor, locals working there.

Location

Walking distance to waterfall. Free night time tour on premises.

Staff

The sweetest staff we met over our 2 weeks in the country.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Felt like new

Activity Review

El Silencio Hike & Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

On time, friendly tour guide.

Quality of Experience

Ease, accomodating tourguide - we wanted to leave earlier and they made arrangements,

Food

Buffet

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly

Transport

Flexible to our schedule

My triplet sisters and I had a wonderful 40th birthday trip to Argentina. We wanted to prioritize Patagonia, so Emilce arranged for us to visit Buenos Aires, El Calafate, and Ushuaia. Some highlights included the stunning Perito Merino Glacier, El Chalten hiking, and sailing the Beagle Channel. We had one mishap where a driver didn't show up to take us to the BA airport and one of us almost got bumped from the flight, but Emilce, Clementina, and Fernando were all very apologetic and refunded the difference for the transportation. After that incident, Clementina sent us our boarding passes ahead of time so that we wouldn't get bumped again - a thoughtful gesture! All of our guides were great and the team was very responsive. Even though food poisoning took us out for one day, we were overwhelmed and amazed by the beauty, food, culture, animals, and people. I hope to be back one day!

Hotel Review

Huinid Obelisco Hotel

Buenos Aires

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Minitrekking in "Los Glaciares National Park"

El Calafate

Absolutely once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a *wonderful* time in Costa Rica- many thanks to Yenyi!

Yenyi helped us curate an itinerary that fit our travel style, adventure level, and budget. We felt supported and equipped with all the necessary resources every step of the way (confidence in every transfer ride, guidance on tipping expectations, a clear list of country entry requirements- nothing was missed!).

We loved our self-guided tour of La Fortuna Waterfall alongside our own independent exploration of downtown La Fortuna. Our tour guides on the Sloth Tour, Hanging Bridges Tour, and Volcano Tour were wonderfully passionate and knowledgeable. And even though it was a small group, we really enjoyed getting to know the culinary instructor and one other tourist who joined the local cooking class. But our favorite had to be the evening pass and dinner reservation at Tabacon Thermal Resort!

Can't wait to come back! Thank you, Yenyi!

Hotel Review

Arenal Paraíso Resort, Spa & Hot Springs

La Fortuna

This hotel has an unbeatable view of the volcano and a few nice pools to lounge in on lazy days. Staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating. And the breakfast buffet will fill you up for a day of activity. The location is also great- no more than a 15 minute drive from most activities. Room quality, food and drink quality, and poolside amenities do not have quite the same level of "wow" factor. So this hotel is a great "home base" for travelers hoping to get out and explore every day, but perhaps might not be a top choice for a resort-only stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Arenal Volcano Hike & Tabacón Hot Springs with Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport